Sailing Gear

Having the right equipment is a game changer. Sailors with the proper gear are able to focus better on learning skills, more comfortable in the heat/cold, and most importantly are safe on the water!

What gear you need depends on the season and what program you are participating in!

Summer Learn to Sail Gear Needs

Summer is the best time to learn how to sail due to warm weather and moderate breeze! However, sailors still need to come prepared to camps with the appropriate sailing gear.

All Students Need

  • LIFEJACKET (Coast Guard Type III)
    • West Marine has affordable life-jackets, and they are a great water safety investment! OCS has limited lifejackets available for rental ($2/day), however we encourage sailors to bring their own
  • Closed-toed Shoes with Heel Straps
    • Our docks have splinters and many boats have things to stub your toes on!
  • Sunhat, Sunglasses, & Sunscreen
  • Non-cotton Clothing (be prepared to swim everyday!)
    • Cotton t-shirts are OK
    • Not OK: heavy sweatshirts, jeans, cotton sweatpants, etc.
  • Extra Layers & Towel
  • Reuseable Water Bottle & Snack (lunch for all-day camps)

Race Teams Gear Needs

Race Team sailors need to have the appropriate gear to be successful at practice. As our Race Teams practice year-round, sailors will find that the appropriate gear for each practice will change as the weather does.

Sailors should check the weather forecast before arriving at practice so they wear and pack the appropriate clothing for that practice.

At some point during Fall season, wetsuits will become mandatory. This mandate will be lifted once the weather warms up in spring.

Race Team Gear Rules

  1. Once the coach has instituted the wetsuit mandate, sailors must wear a wetsuit or drysuit at practices - NO exceptions. This is for the sailor's safety.
  2. Lifejackets must be a sailing-specific, Coast Guard Type III lifejacket that has not been altered in any way. Lifejackets need to have adjustable straps and at least one pocket.
  3. A Coach has the right to deem a sailor's gear not appropriate for the weather/sailing session, and not allow them onto the water until they have the appropriate gear.

Race Team Gear Suggestions

Our fall and spring Race Teams practice in some of Washington's wettest and coldest seasons. Sailors need to be prepared with the right gear and extra LAYERS in order to be the most effective learners at practice or competitors at a regatta.

See the image below for the type of gear a typical NW sailors uses on a daily basis.

Regatta-Specific Gear Needs

Regattas are two-day events and sailors need to be prepared with clothing for both days. Sailors should bring multiple layers that they can use if the weather turns, their waterproof layers aren't as waterproof as they thought, or they capsize. Sailors should pack as if they will capsize the first day.

Purchasing Sailing Gear

Sailing gear is an investment. We suggest sailors start with the essentials and work their way up from there. Some time on the team with just the essentials can teach sailors what they want from their gear and they can learn about what other sailors wear.

The Essentials

  • Lifejacket (day one)
  • Wetsuit (by mid-fall season)

You Don't Need Sailing Specific Right Away

Sailing specific gear can be expensive and isn't needed all the time. The following non-sailing specific gear can be found around the house or at Goodwill!

  • Layers: old fleeces, long johns, wool pullovers, beanies, etc.
  • Shoes: old sneakers work great (pair with wool socks for colder weather)
  • Waterproof Outers: rain pants and a rain jacket work great until you decide to invest in spray pants!
  • Gloves: gardening gloves work great!

Sailing Specific Gear

You and your sailor(s) will want to start investing in sailing specific gear as they become more committed to the sport so they are more comfortable and have more appropriate gear.

Some parents reward sailors with new gear for good grades, or as Christmas, birthday presents, etc.

Gear you will want once you start getting serious:

  • Waterproof Watch (Ronstan, Timex, etc.)
  • Spray top and bibs - sailing waterproof layers are reinforced where sailors need them to be. They don't have hoods. They typically have rubber wrists, necks and ankles, or velcro.
  • Booties! Have sailing specific booties really can make a difference in terms of traction and comfort.